Driving Test Syllabus
Driving Test Syllabus
Theory Test
The theory test is split into two seperate parts. Both parts are on a computer
Part One
Multiple Choice Questions
This part is on a touch screen computer. There are 50 multiple choice questions and the candidate has 57 minutes to answer all the questions. The question appears at the top of the screen and under the question there will be between 4 and 8 different answers, the candidate has to touch the screen with the finger on the correct answer or answers (some questions require more than one answer). There is a clock in the top right hand part of the screen which counts down from 57 to 0, so the candidate knows exactly how much time has gone and how long they have left. If there is a question that the candidate has trouble answering, they should touch the "flag" icon in the bottom left side of the screen and the computer goes directly on to the next question. The candidate will be asked at the end of the test if he/she wants to go back to all the questions they have flagged so they can spend longer on those questions they had difficulty with. The pass mark for this part of the test is 43 out of 50.
Part Two
Hazard Perception
For this part of the test the candidate has to use the mouse. There will be 14 clips of driving on the computer screen and the candidate has to spot moving hazards in front of the car. The hazards have to be moving not stationary and each clip will last approximately 30 seconds. The purpose of the test is to see how quickly the candidate can respond to a potential hazard. When the candidate sees a hazard they should use either the left or right mouse button (it doesn't matter which one - but do not move the mouse, just click one button) and a red flag will appear at the bottom left of the screen, to register your click. The candidate can register as many red flags as they consider necessary, but they must not "double" click on the mouse button (as you would do to open a file on your home computer) or the screen will go blank and a message will come up on the screen "You have responded in an incorrect way and will receive zero for this clip". The candidate should also not click on the mouse button in a "rythmic" way, in other words constantly clicking on the mouse button, or the same message will appear on the screen. The maximum score on each of the hazard clips is 5 reducing to 0 as the hazard gets closer to the car. There will only be one marked hazard per clip. although there may be a couple of hazards in each of the clips. One clip however, will have two marked hazards. The pass mark for this part of the test is 44 out of 75. When the candidate has passed the theory test, they will have two years to pass the practical test, or they will have to retake both parts of the theory test.
At the moment, the candidate has to pass both parts of the test on the same day. However, from March 2010 if a candidate passes one part but fails the other, they will only have to retake the part they failed, not the part they passed.
Practical Driving Test
1. Eyesight Test
At the start of the test, the examiner will ask the candidate to read the number plate of a car 20.5 metres from the candidate.
2. Maintenance / Safety Questions
The examiner will then ask the candidate 2 maintenance / safety questions relating to the car the candidate will use for the test.
3. The Drive
The drive will last approximately 40 minutes, during which time the examiner will be assesing the candidate on their control of the car and their observations. The examiner will ask the candidate at some point during the test to perform 2 out of the 4 maneuvers and possibly a controlled stop. The topics the examiner will be marking are :
- The Controlled Stop
- Reverse Exercises - Bay Parking / Parallel (Reverse) Parking / Reverse Around a Corner / Turn in the Road
- Control of the Car
- Move off under Control on a level surface / at an angle / on a hill
- Use of Mirrors - Rear observation
- Signals
- Clearance to obstructions
- Response to signs / signals
- Use of speed
- Following Distance
- Maintain progress
- Junctions (including roundabouts)
- Judgement
- Positioning
- Pedestrian crossings
- Position for normal stops
- Awareness / Planning
- Ancillary controls
At the end of the drive, the examiner will add up all the driving faults given to the candidate and if they received 15 faults or less then they will pass the test, if the candidate receives 16 faults or more, they will fail. If the candidate receives more than 4 driving faults in the same category that will also be a fail, or if they receive 1 serious fault or 1 dangerous fault, that would also be a fail.
Driving Test Debrief
After the drive, when the examiner has informed the candidate if they have passed or failed, the examiner will ask the candidate if they wish their instructor to listen in on the debrief (where the examiner explains the marks and why the candidate received them). I prefer to be allowed to listen as if the candidate has been unsuccessful I will know exactly what to work on in the next lesson, (it can be a stressful time and sometimes the candidate does not listen to exactly what the examiner is saying and can mis-understand why they have not passed).
The Drive Home
As I have stated, the test can be a stressful event. The candidate, if they pass or fail, is not usually in any condition to drive away immediately. I will normally drive the candidate back home if they pass or fail. This allows them time to relax after the test.
